TAMPA—Aqib Talib arguably is the Buccaneers best cover corner, but his loss to a four-game suspension won’t cripple the team’s secondary.

The presence of Eric Wright gives the team a solid replacement who can cover an opponent’s top receiver, and E.J. Biggers is playing at a different level this year than he was a year ago.

Aqib Talib could be moving on from his time with the Buccaneers after this season if his suspension replacement, E.J. Biggers, performs well. (AP Photo)

Biggers is no stranger to the starting lineup. He has 17 career starts now after stepping in for Talib against the Chiefs on Sunday, and he’s playing with a confidence level that has been missing in the past.

Biggers always has had the speed and athleticism to stay with a receiver, and he’s solid in both man and zone schemes. The difference this year is that he’s playing more physical and he’s recognizing routes better. Biggers is playing tighter to receivers, challenging them for the ball. He also is playing more effectively against the run.

Talib, who has been suspended once before for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, will be a free agent after this year, and there’s a chance the Bucs will wave goodbye to him. How Biggers plays over the next four games could say a lot about Talib’s future.

NOTES: Depth was believed to be the Bucs' Achilles heel, but the team got some big contributions from second teamers in beating the Chiefs on Sunday. NT Gary Gibson had a TFL, RDE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim had a TFL and a QB hurry, Biggers had a pass breakup that Ronde Barber turned into an interception return for a touchdown and Jamon Meredith stepped in at RG to help a run game that produced 145 yards on 24 carries.